As Close As Family

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Summary: see chapter 1

Warnings/Ratings: see chapter 1

Author's Note: Thanks to Rae Artemis who is a great beta as always.

Author's Note 2: As well as Dean and Sam I have borrowed Bobby for a while along with references to John, Pastor Jim and Caleb but the rest of them are mine. Reviews continue to be welcomed.

Chapter 8 – Preparing for the task at hand

Prepped and ready to go. I just wished I felt better about it. There's too much at stake for it to be allowed to go wrong.

Jordan got to us first at about 5 in the morning. Never someone I'd known well, our paths hadn't crossed much, he'd always seemed easy to get on with, although Dad used to describe him as 'one to watch' with a distinctly pejorative tone. He was tall enough; he had a fraction on me, and a smile that put people at ease. He was a head turner, the kind of guy you'd walk into a bar with and all the girls would turn to look at him. I mean I can do it but this guy doesn't even need to try. Beach bum blonde hair, long enough too – it was almost as long as Sam's. He looked like a surfer dude with a tan to match. He entered loud and brash, centre of attention, once he'd sucked you in, he'd get his focus, step back, listen, take in all the information we'd accumulated, chip in when he'd got something to say. When it came to the job, he didn't brag or grandstand, he assumed you knew he was good. When he said something, it was worth listening carefully. I finished up telling him everything we've found out and our outline plan, he nodded his approval.

'So you found out about this today.'

'This evening, yeah.'

'You've done well. That's a hell of a lot of information to accumulate so quickly. Good work.'

A look passed between Sam and me, praise; not something we've ever been really used to receiving. Sam said, 'Suzi provided a lot of the information about here and the Pastor was able to shed light on a lot of the background.'

'Yeah, but it's you two who pieced it together and made the plan of action. We can work with this. You,' his gaze moved to Suzi. 'You're more observant than most. You're the girl they placed last. You were with Jason, weren't you?' She nodded. 'You spent time with this pair and John before you went there.'

'Yeah about a year.' Suzi stayedquiet so Sam answered Jordan.

'Figures. If I know John Winchester, he'd have had you training with the boys. 'Eyes open', 'Suck it up', 'The devil is in the detail.'' He even sounded like Dad, we laughed. It was funny but it also brought home the pain of knowing that Dad wasn't with us, wasn't coming, hell, he wouldn't even return the call. The pain was only aggravated by his next question, 'so when's Daddy Winch getting here then, boys?'

Sam was silent this time, left it to me to answer. 'We're not expecting him.'

'You're not?'

'Couldn't get him. Figure maybe his cell's off, stake-out, whatever…' I tried to make it sound nonchalant, after all it was no big deal, Sam and I have been getting used to Dad not listening when we call.

'He don't wanna be found. I'm sorry boys, but your father is a single-minded stubborn son of a bitch when he puts his mind to it. Don't know how you put up with him all these years. I mean he knows his stuff but he's not an easy man to get along with for any great length of time.'

'Could be right.' Only a small part of me felt disloyal, because in truth, Jordan's description was accurate.

When Bobby arrived, he looked through the plans. It was a relief when he nodded and said 'OK. Just a couple of things if you're willing to listen.'

'Willing to listen, of course, we are. Whatever you think.'

'Oh no you don't, boy. This is your gig, we're helping,' he indicated both himself and Jordan,' but it remains your job. All I've got is some extra ideas; I'm not taking over here just pitching in. We're the extra bodies to carry through. Now as I was saying, I've got rid of a few demons in my time, I think…'

The older man was in his element talking about exorcisms and the problems associated with the different types. His grizzled face was animated as he described in lurid detail the exorcism he figured we should use and what we would need to do to make it work. It would take some setting up. It would also mean we had to wait until the group were gathered in the clearing rather than trying to rescue the girls from their 'homes'.

'So Leanne's here?'

'Yes.'

'Is she okay?'

He was a gruff man, but Bobby was the type to be concerned for those he helped. Once you got under the old man's skin, you'd stay there. 'It's been a while, it'll be good to see her again and Danny.'

'Danny, there's no Danny.' Suzi was certain.

'There will be. That's who they've gone for tonight. She was the second.'

Sam elaborated, 'We didn't know, Jim said he'd work it out for us but he hasn't called back yet.'

'No need, well, we'll need what he can tell us about the rest but Danny was second.'

'She was one of yours' I already know the answer; this whole gig is just getting way too personal.

'She is one of mine – she ain't dead yet. A lovely girl, long blonde hair, straight, a big laughing smile, affectionate and a bundle of mischief. The folks who took her in had a hard time keeping up with her. She was a proper firecracker, quick to spark but underneath she was a real homebody. That's what's held your guys up. She lives at home, no sign of her leaving.'

'So what do we do now?'

Bobby's face was grim as he answered, 'They'll be back before tonight with her. They've got her.'

It was Sam who asked, 'How?' but we were all waiting for the response.

'A couple of months back, she made some new friends. They'd been hanging out and everything was fine. I spoke to her folks on the way here they told me everything that's been going on with her. The new friends, they'd talked her into going on a camping trip. It'll be them or someone working with them, it's too much of a coincidence otherwise. Anyway, I promised I'd bring her back safe. It's up to you to make sure I keep that promise.'

'So we all know what we need to do.' Jordan's voice was relaxed. 'We should head out, start getting ready.'

'Yeah, Sam, you got the paper? Anything happens to me, you do it. Your brother's Latin was never as good as yours and Jordan's really doesn't bear mentioning.' Bobby's comment was met with a laugh and a slap on the back from Jordan.

'I have other talents, old man.'

'Fortunately, otherwise it wouldn't be worth letting you tag along, boy.'

'Ha!'

'So little girl, you know your part?' Bobby's look at Suzi pinned her in place until she nodded but stayed silent.

I sat next to her; I could see the tension was back, fear tightening her frown. 'We'll be there kiddo.' She nodded again. 'Sam will follow you home; we're going to set everything up at the clearing. There'll be one of us near you all day, don't worry, we'll make sure you're okay?'

'And you?'

'We'll be fine too. Now come on, we're nearly there now. It won't be long and we can go home.'

'Yes. Home.' She moved to the door. Just before she left, she turned 'Thank you Jordan, Bobby. Sam,' she took his hand in hers, 'We're okay now, aren't we?' He nodded putting his other hand over hers and squeezing gently, 'good. Later Dean.'

'Later Suzi Q.' She gives me one last tentative smile and leaves. Sam watched from the window and just before she was out of sight, he left too. 'Good Luck, Sammy,' I say as he went.

'We should go now too, make sure everything's set.' Bobby was trying to distract everyone from the sombre feeling that had settled over the room. It was no good focussing on that, we needed to be positive.

'Yeah, let's be bad guys.' I looked sharply round at Jordan, 'Hey I'm only kidding. We're the good guys I know.'

'Just surprised me is all.'

'You recognise it. Ha! Who'd have guessed one of Johnny's boys…?'

'Yeah, alright Jordan. It's only one of us and that'll do. Do you tell everyone?'

'No, but a man needs a hobby, something to do in his downtime.'

'Exactly. So we're shiny then.'

He laughed and clapped me on the back. 'Very good, come on. Work awaits dude.' Bobby shook his head, the intricacies of the conversation having gone over his head, but he moved past and to his truck. We each made our own way up to the clearing, hiding the vehicles in different spots. It didn't take us long to set up our positions.